GEJFA Field Manager Roles & Responsibilities

Field Manager Roles and Responsibilities
Note: This page was last updated - 08/30/06 12:15:55 PM

The Field Manager is basically the person responsible for oversight of all field operations on game day.

Duties include:

Supervision of proper field set-up;
Monitoring game clock and scoreboard operations;
Giving direction to teams on where to warm-up;
Conducting the official Player Weigh-in;
Assisting the referees, as request, in the event of field or GEJFA rules disputes;
Monitoring the activities of players, coaches and spectators, to ensure all adhere to the governing school district field use policies; and
Reporting the outcome of each game to the host systems GEJFA Council representative.

A more detailed description and chain of events is provided below:

General

Mandatory – have a copy of GEJFA RULES & REGULATIONS.
List of contacts, emergency numbers, Systems Reps, Referee Scheduler etc.
Dress the part; make sure you are highly visible.
- Wear some type of Hat, Jacket or Vest.

Pre-Game Duties

Locate School site manager to unlock necessary gates, score box, rest rooms, concessions etc.
Find a site at the field where you can be easily located.
- Site should be close to the field. Protected from rain. (Outside of end zones or on running track)
- Should be able to see playing field and whole facilities.
Remember you are there to conduct player weigh-in as well as monitor the field use, spectator conduct and help to keep everything running efficiently.
Monitor schedule and help to keep games on time.
Set-up official weigh-in scale.
- Make sure scale rests on flat hard surface.
- Check scale for accuracy.
- Make sure you have a copy of league weigh-in rules.
- Make sure you have a clipboard or notebook, pens/pencils for recording on home & visiting team rosters.
Scoreboard/Clock
- Check for proper operation.
- Prior to each game make sure there is someone assigned to run coreboard/clock.
- Make sure the person(s) running the scoreboard/clock know how to operate them and know the official clock management rules! Referees will usually give necessary instruction regarding clock operation.
Inspect field for play
- All necessary equipment accounted for, down box marker, 10-yard chain-set, goal post padding, goal markers, sideline yard markers, benches, water if available.
- All nonessential equipment moved a safe distance away from playing field.
Blank (Team) Game Report Forms, for each level Playing. (Minimum 6 copies)
- Distribute to each home head coach, these are due back after each game.
Blank (System) Game Report Forms, for recording out come of each game. (Minimum 2 Copies)

Greet each team

Show each team where to warm-up.
Address layout of facilities.
Address local facilities RULES.
Specify weigh-in time.
Ensure visiting team aware that they must provide a chain crew.
Ensure home team has scoreboard/clock operators identified.

Greet Referee’s

Show where they can place their personal items for safekeeping.
Address layout of facilities as needed.
Share your systems policy for food distribution, box lunches, concessions, etc. (referees should be provided free refreshments within reason).

Conduct Official Weigh-in

Have copy of weigh-in procedures. See GEJFA Rule 2 -- “Official weigh-ins”.
Have copy of Age/Weight Schedule with “seasonal weight growth” chart included.
Should begin weigh-in one hour prior to game start.
Weigh one team at a time; players should be in single file line in order they appear on the game roster.
Witnesses: Should be one (only one) representative from each team to witness.
Rosters: Each team should have two copies of the game roster: one copy for Field Manager and one copy for the opposing team; as well as copy for their own records.
Check to see if they have the proper week’s game schedule. Check bottom of roster or see which week is shown above the “Max Wt/Eqpt” columns. This important to ensure proper weekly player growth points that are to be added to players total age points.
Roster should be sorted by highest “age points” to lowest. Therefore, “Eqpt Wt” column starts out at the lowest down to the highest.
- Note: at the Soph, JV & Varsity levels, there is an additional 10lbs for players that are below a certain age points. See Age/Weight Schedule.
Ask each team if they have any players that are to receive limited playing time, due to “Disciplinary” reasons. This must be noted on roster and on opponent roster copy. Such disciplinary action must begin with the start of the game & run through consecutive quarters.
Only Field Manager or his/her helper is to operate scale.
- Note: Keep everyone at least 3’ feet away from scale – except Player being weighed & Field Manager.
Keeps the Honest, honest and those trying to influence the scale away.
Players are to weigh-in with all equipment – except for Helmet & Shoes. Players do have the option to weigh-in without gear, however, player is not allowed the additional weight for gear allowance.
Check off each player as they weigh-in, note their weight on rosters.
Players over weight must be reported into League representative. See Game Report.
Double check Game Jersey numbers, mark on roster where they differ and let opponent team be aware.

During the Game

In the event a dispute arises, assist referees and mediate as necessary. See GEJFA Rule 6 – “Game Day.”
Keep eye on Facilities.
Coordinate with Field Security, School District Event Coordinator, etc. (if available).

Video Taping

Coaches, spectators, etc may only video tape games in which their own team is participating.
- Scouting is allowed by other systems – but use of a video is not allowed.
Spectators, as well as coaches, must have a “Video Pass” assigned to them by their system.
- Per GEJFA Rules – No Pass/No Video.

Field Lights

Coordinate with School Field Manager regarding who will turn on the field lights.
Remember it takes awhile for the lights to come on to full brightness. (15 to 30 minutes)

After Game

Record the outcome (score) of each game on Score Report Form. See separate score report instructions. E-mail report in Saturday night or Sunday.
Team Game Reports need to be gathered from each Home Team. (Each team may handle this differently.)
Game Reports are compiled in System Report and E-mailed to GEJFA Vice President. See Game Report instructions.
After the game, teams should move with all their equipment into the stands or to another off-field site to have there after game talk. This is so the teams in the next game have ample time to set up for their game and more importantly so the next game can start on time.
Make sure teams have cleaned up all their gear and garbage.

Security

Security is a key function on game days. Having a security group will help ensure all goes well on game day. Your security will control the crowd and monitor activities away from the field. Often times the Field Manager is too busy with his/her duties and, if someone doesn’t keep an eye on these other areas, problems happen. How often have you had to chase kids out from under grandstands, unauthorized areas etc. Smokers are everywhere and this is a quick way to lose your field privileges.

It is the responsibility of everyone to make sure the games go on without any incidents.

Unfortunately the general public doesn’t always know the school district rules and policies.
The best way to handle this is thru good system communication.
Get some volunteers to walk the grounds.
- Have them visible, by having them wear bright orange or yellow vests, which say SECURITY”.
- Hats work as well or both.
- Make sure they have a copy of your systems “Emergency Contacts”

Another way to help control the grounds is two-way communications.

Systems can pick-up inexpensive two-way radios at various department stores.
The following personal should have one and why:
- Field Manger – Needs to be in touch with everyone, as situations arise he/she can be notified or call another person to go investigate/assist in the problem. Recommend a radio with a headset that has an earpiece and microphone, so he/she can listen in and talk while doing other duties.
- Security personal – Same as Field Manager.
- Score Board operator – Hand unit. Often there are times when running up to the scoreboard tower is not time feasible and a quick call will help. Example – correct game clock, score, assist in referee communication between scoreboard operator, etc.
- Medical personal – Hand unit. Quick response is the answer here.
- Concessions – (Optional) Hand unit with speaker. Usually this is where most systems have their medical supplies. Also a great way to get the announcer/scoreboard operator to make announcements.

Score Reporting

Each field manager will collect scores for all games held at his or her field and then report them via the online "Score Report" form which can be accessed from the "Reports" link tab on the www.GEJFA.org main page by Sunday morning in order for scores to be posted on the web by Monday morning.